Education Specialist

Provides technical leadership and programme-management support for foundational learning in South Africa, with emphasis on early literacy, numeracy, socio-emotional learning, equity, gender inclusion and skills acceleration. The specialist advances UNICEF's education strategy by strengthening evidence-based early learning, assessment, curriculum and workforce efforts with government and partners.

• Provide technical leadership and programme-management support for foundational learning
• Strengthen early literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional learning outcomes
• Advance equity, gender inclusion and skills acceleration in education programming
• Support evidence-based early learning, assessment and data-management efforts
• Contribute to implementation of UNICEF's Education Strategy and national education priorities
• Engage government and partners to strengthen early learning systems and workforce capacity

• Advanced university degree in education, public administration, public health, nutrition, economics, psychology, sociology, human development, child development, family studies or another relevant technical field
• At least five years of professional experience in early childhood development and foundational learning
• Fluency in English

• Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language
• Experience working in a developing country
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organisation
• Country-level experience in development, fragile settings or humanitarian contexts

• Foundational Learning
• Early Literacy
• Numeracy Development
• Programme Management
• Learning Assessment
• Stakeholder Partnership
• Early Childhood Development
• Education Systems Strengthening

• National Officer role; UNICEF will not facilitate visa or work authorisation for national officer candidates.